Is this an original '70 454 exhaust?

[Steve G.]

Before I threw the pipes and mufflers away, I thought I would ask if these parts look like they may be original. Sorry for the poor quality pictures. Let me know if I should be looking for marks that would indicate they are original. thanks, Steve

[Joe L.]

Re: Is this an original '70 454 exhaust?

Before I threw the pipes and mufflers away, I thought I would ask if these parts look like they may be original. Sorry for the poor quality pictures. Let me know if I should be looking for marks that would indicate they are original. thanks, Steve

Steve-----


It's very hard for me to tell from these photos. However, from what I can see, it looks to me like the system MIGHT be original, at least in part. I seem to see a weld in a location in which I would not expect one. If so, at least that is not original. The only place where original systems had a weld was at the interface of the rear exhaust pipe and the muffler.

[Steve G.]

Re: Is this an original '70 454 exhaust?

Thanks Joe. I'd like to get rid of them assuming they are not original. Is there something I can look at up close to make a determination? If they are original, are they worth keeping or selling? Steve

[William C.]

Re: Is this an original '70 454 exhaust?

The connection between the muffler and the pipe leading to the front from the muffler would be a big help, also a look at the "crush" in the area where the pipe goes under the rear spring.

[Thomas G.]

Re: Is this an original '70 454 exhaust?

Steve,

I thought I would chime in to see if I can help. If the pipes have wrinkle or (relief bends) in them that would be a good indication. You also want to look for flats in the bottom of the rear pipes only. The pipes should almost be D shaped and as stated before the mufflers should be welded to the rear pipes. Hope this helps.

Best Regards,

Eric Gardner

Gardner Exhaust Systems

[Steve G.]

Re: Is this an original '70 454 exhaust?

Thanks. I have attached a few more pictures (sorry for the bad quality - my camera has been acting up). Hopefully they will help to make a determination

The mufflers are welded to the pipes on the front side. Not sure about the rears - but I dont think so as there is a clamp back there. The front two pipes are welded together at interface adjacent to the frame cross member. Sounds like they shouldn't be welded there. The good news is there are definately 'wrinkles' at the bends and I see a 'D' shape in the pipes. Steve

[William C.]

Re: Is this an original '70 454 exhaust?

What would tell the tale is a picture of the muffler and pipe at the Front end as installed in the car.

[Steve G.]

Re: Is this an original '70 454 exhaust?

Sorry for the delay in posting these. My camera is acting up. I did get it to work tonight and took the pictures you suggested. Color of pictures is bad, but you can see the detail.

Again, I am looking for advice - should I throw the pipes and mufflers away or are they valuable and therefore I should keep or sell them? Thoughts?

Steve

[Thomas G.]

Re: Is this an original '70 454 exhaust?

Steve,

I don't think selling them will be an option. If you look at the muffler the pipe is coming in from the outside the originals would have entered the muffler on the inside. The rest of the pictures are kind of unclear but if I was to go out on a limb with the pictures I can see I do not believe any of the pipes are original.

Here is a link to our page where you can see an original exhaust system. This should clear it up.

http://www.gardnerexhaust.com/1970-corvette-exhaust-system.html

Best Regards,

Eric Gardner

[Joe L.]

Re: Is this an original '70 454 exhaust?

Sorry for the delay in posting these. My camera is acting up. I did get it to work tonight and took the pictures you suggested. Color of pictures is bad, but you can see the detail.

Again, I am looking for advice - should I throw the pipes and mufflers away or are they valuable and therefore I should keep or sell them? Thoughts?

Steve

Steve-----


The first photo in this series of photos clearly shows a non original configuration. Whether other pipes in the system are original, or not, I cannot say.

[William C.]

Re: Is this an original '70 454 exhaust?

I'm with Joe, welded joints in places not seen in the originals.

[Steve G.]

Re: Is this an original '70 454 exhaust?

Thanks guys! I can now put them in the trash with a clear conscience! Steve

[Joe L.]

Re: Is this an original '70 454 exhaust?

Thanks guys! I can now put them in the trash with a clear conscience! Steve

Steve-----


It's still possible that the FORWARD pipes are original. These pipes are often not replaced when the rear pipes and mufflers are replaced.